Key Takeaways from First Conference On Transitioning Away From Fossil Fuels, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands in Santa Marta, Columbia. 

Key Takeaways

• Institutional continuity: Countries agreed to convene second conference in 2027, co-hosted by Tuvalu and Ireland. 
• New coordination architecture:  Bring together stakeholders working on different aspects of transition, while linking 30th Conference of Parties to UNFCCC or COP30 processes. 
• Workstreams Launched: Three tracks on transition roadmaps, finance reforms, and producer–consumer coordination.
• Integration with global climate processes: Conference outcomes to feed into COP30 Presidency roadmap, contribute to second Global Stocktake under Paris Agreement.
• Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition: Launched to guide countries with evidence-based pathways aligned with 1.5°C target. 

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched Mission SAKSHAM, a mission-mode, sector-wide, all-India capacity-building training initiative for UCBs (Urban Co-operative Banks). 

• UCBs are subset of cooperative banks operating primarily in urban and semi-urban areas.

About Mission SAKSHAM

• It aims to conduct a large number of training programmes (in-person and e-learning courses) for UCBs. 
• Covers Various Target groups including Board Members, Senior Management, Heads of Risk, Compliance and Audit functions, and employees working in IT functions and other critical areas. 
• Designed in consultation with Umbrella Organisation of UCBs and National / State Cooperative Federations.

Prosopis juliflora, to be used as feedstock for India’s first green methanol production plant, designed to fuel ocean-going ships.

About Prosopis juliflora

• Leguminous tree highly resistant to drought and salinity, recognized as one of the world's most dominant invasive species. 
• Native to Mexico, first introduced by British in 1920s to ‘green’ Delhi and by Gujarat forest department in 1961. 
• Ecological Impacts: 
  • It is a Phreatophyte, a deep-rooted plant that absorbs water from the phreatic zone below water table, exacerbating hydrological drought. 
  • Reduces native plant diversity, posing a serious threat to Phyto diversity.

Ministry of Mines approved 58 companies under IS-PCMR as eligible for participation.

About IS-PCMR

• Notified on October 2025, scheme  is a part of National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). 
• Ministry: Ministry of Mines
• Aim: Develop domestic recycling capacity for critical minerals reducing import dependence, and supporting clean energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.
• Tenure: 6 years (from FY 2025-26 till FY 2030-31).
• Financial Outlay: ₹1,500 crore.
• Eligible Feedstock: E-waste, Lithium Ion Battery (LIB) scrap, and scrap other than e-waste & LIB scrap e.g. catalytic convertors in end-of-life vehicles. 

Global Hepatitis Report 2026 released by World Health Organization (WHO). 

• As per the report, India is among top contributors to global hepatitis deaths, particularly from hepatitis B and C.

About Hepatitis

• It is an inflammation of the liver, caused majorly by Hepatitis viruses, however, other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause it. 
• 5 main hepatitis viruses:  Type A, B, C, D and E. 
  • Types B and C lead to chronic disease and are most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.
  • Hepatitis A and E typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food/water. 
  • Hepatitis B, C and D occur usually due to parenteral contact with infected body fluids.

Nilgiris forest fire contained in Tamil Nadu.

About Nilgiris Hills

• The Nilgiris are among the oldest mountain ranges in India.
• They are named as Blue Mountains, linked to the seasonal bloom of kurinji flowers.
•  Located at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, they form part of the Western Ghats.
  • Major hill stations include Ooty, Coonoor, and Kotagiri.
• Diversity: Includes tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forests, montane sholas and grasslands.
• Key Fauna: Lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr, tiger, elephant, and gaur.
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: 1st in India; Part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme.

New study finds the Standard Model of Particle Physics remains accurate, with no discrepancy.

• Refined theoretical calculations have resolved the muon (subatomic particle similar to electron but heavier) "anomaly" which challenged the Standard Model. 

About Standard Model of Particle Physics 

• Basic building blocks of matter: The Standard Model classifies all visible matter using quarks (which build protons and neutrons) and leptons (such as electrons).
• Fundamental Forces: It describes how three of nature's forces (electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear) govern subatomic behavior.
• Force-carrying particles: It explains interactions through bosons (which act as force carriers), such as photons (electromagnetism), W and Z bosons (weak force), and gluons (strong force).

Centre cuts windfall tax on diesel & jet fuel exports in line with the price fluctuations in the international market due to the West Asia war.

About Windfall Tax

• It is a government levy on extraordinary profits earned by companies or individuals due to unexpected circumstances.
• This occurs when global events, such as geopolitical tensions or commodity price surges, lead to windfall gains for certain sectors (E.g. oil and gas).
• Objective: To capture a portion of these unexpected gains to fund public projects, reduce deficits, or redistribute wealth.

Barkha Subba and Parveen Shaikh won the Whitley Awards for protecting the Himalayan salamander and Indian skimmer habitats.

About Whitley Award

• Given by the Whitley Fund for Nature, a UK-based nature conservation charity.
• Purpose: Supports conservationists in protecting wildlife and ecosystems.
• Recognition: Known as the Green Oscars, awarded each year.

About Himalayan salamander

• It is a rare, semi-aquatic amphibian found in the Eastern Himalaya.
  • Endemic to India, Nepal and Bhutan, also found in Myanmar, Thailand, etc.
• Classified as vulnerable by IUCN.
• Salamanders return to their natal site to breed and lay eggs, a process known as philopatry.

About Indian Skimmer 

• It is one of the three bird species that belong to the skimmer genus Rynchops.
• Classified as Endangered by IUCN. 
• India is home to more than 90% of the global population, especially in Chambal River.
• Known for their bright orange bills, they skim the surface of rivers by inches to catch fish. They nest on sandbars, mid river islands that appear seasonally.

The Union Health Minister launched key health initiatives at the 10th National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity.

New Initiatives Launched

• Swasth Bharat Portal: A one-stop integrated platform designed to bring multiple national health programmes onto a single digital interface.
  • It is ABDM-compliant and integrates with ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account).
• JANANI Portal (Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care): Tracks Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCH) data and adopts a lifecycle approach to ensure continuum of care.
• Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0 & Guidance document on Diabetes in Children and adolescent: Updated guidelines (from 2013) addressing evolving child health needs, including emerging conditions and non-communicable diseases among children.